With just 11 players available, mainly due to a spate of injuries, and no management team, Lyme Regis 1st X1 travelled to Upwey and Broadway in the first round of the Dorset Senior Trophy.

The Seasiders, in fact, were so short of personnel that they didn't even have a linesman, but a groundhopper visting the Upwey club took the flag in the end.

With all the odds stacked against them, Lyme put in a dogged first half performance with keeper Chris Higgs and a back line of Robbie Fowler, Gary Knight, Dan Beer and Josh Rawlins letting nothing through.

There was little between the two sides in the second half with Brad Rowe putting Lyme ahead in the 65th minute after breaking through and slamming the ball home with a sweet strike.

Lyme were unfortunately reduced to 10 men when skipper Robbie Fellingham was adjudged to have handled the ball on the line and Upwey equalised from the resulting penalty.

Extra-time was deadlocked in tough conditions and tired legs before Lyme scored all five penalties in a deciding shoot out with Higgs saving the opposition's first spot kick.

It was a dogged performance from all the Lyme players, especially Ben Turner with his relentless running in midfield, and Sam Pollard-Jones' hard work up front.

Lyme have now been drawn against Sturminster Newton United in the second round to be played on December 3rd.

* Lyme Reserves were also down to 11 men for their long trip to fellow strugglers Chagford in the Devon and Exeter League Division Three.

The Seasiders' second string did not get odff to the best of starts, going 1-0 down early in the game.

But they managed to keep things tight as they grew into the game, playing some attractive football on a tricky surface, and were reward when Shaun Sellers lobbed the keeper from 35 yards to make it 1-1.

Lyme started to create chances with new signing Ethan Matthews, who impressed in his debut for Lyme the previous week, putting in another great pertformance, winning a penalty. Jon Davies stepped up to take the spot kick and missed on his first attempt but made sure with the rebound.

The Seasiders had to dig deep in the second half. Chagford pushed hard for an equaliser but Lyme held firm and Ben Bowditch increased the lead to 3-1 when he ran onto a deep Rob Harp goal kick to slot the ball home.

Chagford worked hard to reduce the arrears but Ethan Matthews sealed the victory to make it 4-2.

Manager Wallce Blackmore was delighted with his side's work rate. He said: "I could not be more proud of them. Every player was fantastic."